Overview
Sri Lanka itinerary 10 days overview
This private Sri Lanka itinerary for 10 days is our classic round tour: the island’s greatest hits in one relaxed loop. Climb Sigiriya and explore the Dambulla caves, see the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, sip tea in the hills of Nuwara Eliya, ride the blue train to Ella, look for leopards in Yala and finish with two days on the beach at Mirissa and a walk around Galle Fort.
It is the most popular of our Sri Lanka round tours for first-time visitors, with your own air-conditioned car or van and an English-speaking driver from the airport to your flight home.
Your 10 day / 9 night round tour
Culture, tea country, wildlife and the beach
The classic loop around Sri Lanka, with no driving day longer than about five hours.
DAYS 1–22 nights: Sigiriya
DAY 03Overnight: Kandy
DAY 04Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
DAYS 5–62 nights: Ella
DAY 07Overnight: Yala
DAYS 8–102 nights: Mirissa
Pickup and return
Start: Bandaranaike International Airport, or your hotel in Colombo or Negombo.
Finish: the airport for your flight home, or your hotel in Colombo or Negombo.
Share your flight times and we plan the first and last days around them.
Where you will stay
Nights 1–2: Sigiriya.
Night 3: Kandy.
Night 4: Nuwara Eliya.
Nights 5–6: Ella.
Night 7: Yala (Tissamaharama).
Nights 8–9: Mirissa.
Nine nights with breakfast, from comfortable hotels to boutique stays, confirmed in your quote.
Before you book
What is the price for this 10-day tour?
We send a personalised quote, because the price depends on your hotels, the vehicle and the number of travellers. Your private car or van, English-speaking driver and nine nights’ hotels with breakfast are included; Ella train tickets, jeep safaris and entrance tickets are quoted separately with your itinerary.
Is 10 days enough for Sri Lanka?
Yes. Ten days covers the classic loop at a comfortable pace: the Cultural Triangle, Kandy, tea country, the Ella train, a Yala safari and two nights on the beach.
When is the best time for this itinerary?
December to April is ideal, when the south coast beaches and the hills are at their driest. From May to September we can swap the south coast for the east coast.
Can we change the route or hotels?
Yes. It is a private tour, so you can add nights, swap a stop or choose boutique or luxury hotels.
Where does the tour start and finish?
It starts and ends at Bandaranaike International Airport, or at your hotel in Colombo or Negombo.
Planning your visit to the rock? Our Sigiriya tour page has tickets, climbing tips and every Sigiriya day tour we run.
Want more time? The Sri Lanka round tour 12 days adds the east coast, and the Sri Lanka round tour 14 days goes as far as Jaffna. Shorter on time? See the Sri Lanka round tour 7 days, our Sri Lanka itinerary 5 days or the Colombo multi day tours. Planning a honeymoon? See the Sri Lanka honeymoon itinerary 10 days.
Highlights
- Sri Lanka itinerary 10 days, with nine nights in hand-picked hotels
- Dambulla Cave Temple and Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy and a spice garden
- Tea factory and Ramboda Falls in the hill country
- The scenic train to Ella, the Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam’s Peak
- Yala safari, Mirissa beach and Galle Fort
